Worcester

Worcester's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in marriage, housing tenure and religion.

The population reached nearly 99,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Worcester increased by 5.8%, from just under 93,400 to 98,800.

The addition of about 5,400 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Worcester was home to, on average, 21 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Worcester

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Worcester increased by one year, from 36 to 37 years.

This urban area had a lower average age than the West Midlands and remained slightly younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of just under 2,600 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 2,000.

About 15% of people in Worcester are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Worcester by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Worcester

Worcester saw the West Midlands' largest rise in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership.

In 2011, just over one in three (37%) people aged 16 and over in Worcester said they were single, compared with 30% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 51% to 45%.

Across the region, Stoke-on-Trent saw the next largest increase in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership (from 30% in 2001 to 36% in 2011).

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a rise in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership, as the regional average grew from 29% to 34%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was higher than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

More students

The percentage of Worcester residents that were studying increased from 3.0% to 4.6% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just under 6 in 10 (57%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 60% in 2001. The percentage of Worcester residents that were unemployed increased from 2.8% to 4.2%.

The proportion of students increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 2.5% in 2001 to 3.3% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 2.6% to 3.5%.

The percentage of students in Worcester increased by 1.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Worcester, the West Midlands and England that said they were in education, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

Worcester saw the West Midlands' third-largest rise in the proportion of privately rented homes.

In 2011, just over one in six (18%) households in Worcester rented privately, compared with 9.2% in 2001. The percentage of socially rented homes increased from 15% to 15%.

Across the region, only Coventry (from 10% to 21%) and Birmingham (from 8.8% to 18%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of privately rented homes.

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a rise in the proportion of privately rented homes, as the regional average grew from 7.3% to 14%.

Private renting in Worcester increased by 9 percentage points

Percentage of households in Worcester, the West Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

More single parents

Worcester saw the West Midlands' third-largest rise in the proportion of single-parent households.

In 2011, just over 1 in 10 (10%) households in Worcester had a single parent, compared with 8.4% in 2001. The percentage with a married couple decreased from 38% to 33%.

Across the region, only Wolverhampton (from 12% to 14%) and Coventry (from 12% to 14%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of single-parent households.

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a rise in the proportion of single-parent households, as the regional average grew from 10% to 11%.

The percentage of households with a single-parent was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of households that had a single parent across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

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